Does FRS serialize replication?

[fuladi]

Hi there,

I use the File Replication Service in a W2K environment,
and it seems to me that the replication service serialises
the files that are replicated. I have some processes that
write folders (with approx 200 files in each folder) to a
Dfs share across the network. When there is just one
instant of the "writer" process running (writing just one
folder with 200 files), it'll take about 63 secs to
replicate all 200 files. But, when there is two instances
running (writing one folder each), it'll take about 128
seconds to replicate all the files of one folder, and when
there is 8 instances running - each writing one folder,
it'll take approx (63*8) sec before any one of the folder
is fully replicated. These results make me believe that
FRS serializes the files to be replicated. But, this would
be contradictory to the claim that " ...FRS replicates up
to 8 files at a time."

I'll appreciate any information that you can provide.

thanks,

Fari

 

[Richard Chinn [MSFT]]

FRS monitors activity on a volume by using the USN journal. As files are
updated, FRS processes them. FRS sends change orders out, and by default,
there can be 8 outstanding change orders per partner though an outbound
connection. I believe this is where the "replicates 8 files at a time"
reference comes from.

If you haven't read it yet, have a look at "How FRS Works" which is
available at the following link.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr...erver2003/proddocs/techref/w2k3tr_frs_how.asp

--Richard

Please post FRS related questions to microsoft.public.windows.server.dfs_frs
and prefix the subject line with "FRS:" to make it easier to spot. Note that
FRS is used to replicate SYSVOL on domain controllers and DFS root and link
targets.

For additional FRS resources, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/frs.

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.